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Carlton Cummins (Aceleron)

Carlton Cummins won July's Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future Award and the 2016 Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Over the next three to four years in the UK, nearly three million kilograms of battery waste is expected to come from electric vehicles purchased within the last five years. Given recent legislative support for low emissions transport, and projected sales of electric vehicles, this number is expected to increase exponentially. However, there are currently no facilities in the UK for the large volume recycling of these types of batteries. As a result, they are shipped overseas, at a significant cost.

Aceleron is looking to address this issue, while providing affordable energy storage solutions. It’s simple design, assembly process and cost effectiveness makes it perfect for the developing world. The design would allow solar panel installers to maintain lithium ion batteries instead of being required to order entire battery packs due to a few faulty cells.

To achieve this, the start-up has focused on three primary developments. First, Aceleron developed a testing process to identify which batteries are viable for reuse, and to measure how much energy is stored in them. In a field trial conducted with Brunel University, Aceleron found the cells from lithium batteries going to landfill could still have up to 89% of their original capacity. Second, Aceleron developed robust assembly hardware which allows the viable cells (the part of the battery that stores energy) to be repackaged for new applications like energy storage. The third and final development is a unique battery management system (BMS) which Aceleron has designed to ensure the battery cells operate safely in their new applications.

Aside from home energy storage - where battery packs are often used as to supplement renewable energy sources - and help households use energy more efficiently, other applications Carlton has in mind for repackaged batteries are light mobility items such as electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The inspiration for Aceleron came directly from Carlton’s studies as a sustainability and entrepreneurialism student, combined with his three years of experience working in renewable energy in his native Barbados.

We’re delighted to welcome Ehab Sayed to our alumni network!
As the latest winner our of Smarter Future Award, Ehab has won £5,000 to further develop his start-up, Biohm Ltd.
Biohm aims to create a healthier and more sustainable environment with their bio-based construction materials.
Find out more about June’s Smarter Future Award winner: https://go.shell.com/2OOPFFB

Posted on Aug 07 2018 09:59am

‘Due to our rising population, which is estimated to hit 10 billion people by the year 2050, resources will become strained, especially food products. Innovations in the way we produce our food, which is both sustainable and environmentally friendly, will help accommodate the population rise.’
As the global population continues to rise the way we source and produce food will dramatically change. In our latest blog, Innovate UK highlights the opportunities this creates for entrepreneurs and innovators with game-changing ideas, such as Shell LiveWIRE alumni LettUs Grow and Phytophics who are already disrupting this sector!
Head to our website to read the full article: https://go.shell.com/2Avs3D4

Posted on Aug 01 2018 10:10am

‘Ask for help. The entrepreneurial community is fantastically supportive, and most people will gladly help you.’
Douglas Martin won our £25,000 Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award earlier this year for his start-up MiAlgae, which aims to eliminate the livestock industry’s reliance on fishmeal by growing microalgae rich in omega 3 and other nutrients which can be used as substitute feed.
We recently sat down with Douglas to find out more about his start-up, plans for the future and what advice he has for entrepreneurs!
Find out more in our latest Featured Business of the Month interview: https://go.shell.com/2LK3Fia